By Jordan Halford

The SPL club pleaded with supporters for an urgent cash-injection to prevent the side from going out of business, as they attempt to negotiate with HMRC over an unpaid £450,000

Scottish club Hearts have insisted that the response of their supporters has been "encouraging", after the club pleaded fans to inject urgent cash into the club.

The Tynecastle side are facing a winding up order and are currently negotiating with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over an unpaid £450,000 tax bill and urged supporters to buy tickets to their next three homes games as well as subscribe to a £1.79 million share issue.

The club released a statement on Wednesday warning that the fixture against St. Mirren on November 17 could be the club's last, ending a history which dates back to 1874.

But director Sergejus Fedotavas said on Thursday that the club's ticket office had reported "brisk business".

"This is a very tough period for Heart of Midlothian FC and we need the fans to back the club as much as they can," he told reporters.

"The demand for the tickets for St Mirren has picked up and the priority is to sell this game out as well as Celtic and Aberdeen.

"There has also been a lot of business done in the shares department, which again is great to see.

"But make no mistake, these are extremely tough times for everyone associated with this famous football club and only with the help of the supporters, the lifeblood of the club, will we be able to come through them."

Local politicians Marco Biagi and Margo MacDonald also released a joint-statement asking HMRC to give the club time to address the situation, and MSP Ms MacDonald, a fan of rival club Hibernian added: "I remember when the existence of Hibs was at risk, at that time to a hostile takeover.

"When I chaired the Hands Off Hibs rally in the Usher Hall, a representative group of Hearts fans were there to show solidarity with us.

"They knew, and I know, that the capital needs its two big teams so I am repaying the favour."